Fishing float

ABSTRACT

A combination slip/spring float with the ability to be used as a lighted float and more particularly a lighted center slide float.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No.60/143,714 filed Jul. 14, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fishing float, moreparticularly to a combination spring/slip float and still moreparticularly to a lighted center slide fishing float which can be usedeither as a slip float or a spring float.

2. The Prior Art

A variety of fishing floats are currently available for use in fishing.Some are so called slip floats in which the float is mounted to thefishing line in a manner which enables the line to slide or moverelative to the float. A common slip float is a float having a fishingline opening extending from one end (the top) to the other (the bottom)to receive a fishing line along the axial center of the float. Othersare so called spring floats in which the float is connected with thefishing line in a relatively fixed position. A common spring floatincludes a spring support portion with a line receiving slot near thelower end of the float. A coil spring surrounds the support portion toprevent the float from sliding relative to the fishing line.

Further, fishing floats exist which include luminescent members or otherlighted means for night fishing. One such lighted float includes a twopiece float having selectively connectable upper and lower portions. Theupper portion includes a lighted tip carrying a lightable bulb. Theupper portion also includes a battery receptacle in which an elongatedlithium battery is mounted, in either a lighted operative position or anunlighted storage or inoperative position. In both cases, the lithiumbattery is mounted along the axial center line of the upper floatportion. To change this float from a non-lighted to a lighted mode, theupper float portion is removed from the lower float portion and thebattery is manually removed and reinserted in a reverse position intothe cylindrical battery receptacle opening along the axial center of theupper float portion. This causes the contacts of the battery to lightthe bulb in the tip. When it is desired for the light to be turned off,the battery again is manually removed and reversed. Although such floatfunctions as a lighted float for night fishing, it cannot be made tofunction as a center slide slip/spring float because of the existence ofthe bulb and the battery positioned along the axial center of the float.

Although a variety of such fishing floats currently exist, there is needfor a combination slip/spring float and an improved lighted fishingfloat for nighttime fishing. The need also exists for a lighted fishingfloat which can be used both as a slip float and a spring float, andparticularly a center slide float.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fishing float which can beselectively used as a lighted fishing float. The fishing float inaccordance with the present invention can also be utilized both as aslip float and as a spring float as well as a center slide lightedfloat.

More specifically, the float of the present invention includes atwo-part float structure comprising upper and lower float portions whichare retained relative to one another in a relatively sealed conditionvia a press fit or other connecting means. Preferably the retainingmeans utilizes one or more O-rings. Extending from one end of the floatis a hollow, tubular center stem or spring mounting section. Thissection may be integrally formed with the bottom end of the lower floatportion, but preferably comprises the lower end portion of a main centerstem which extends upwardly from the bottom of the lower float portionso that its upper end mates or nests with a portion of the upper end ofthe float. A mounting member is positioned within the lower floatportion for mounting and/or stabilizing the central stem or tube and formounting a light means. The spring mounting section extending outwardlyfrom the float is provided with a compressible spring member which, incombination with a slit or opening in such section, enables the float tofunction as a spring float.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved, lighted fishing float. A further object of the presentinvention is to provide a fishing float which can be used either as aslip float or as a spring float.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combinationcenter slide slip/spring float.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a multipleuse fishing float which can be selectively used as a lighted float fornight fishing and as a slip or spring float.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighted, centerslide float as well as a center slide slip/spring float.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentwith reference to the drawings and the description of the preferredembodiment

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational front view of a fishing float in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view, partially in section, of the fishing float of thepresent invention as viewed along the section line 2,2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, partially exploded, showing theconnection detail between the upper and lower portions of the fishingfloat.

FIG. 4 is an elevational plan view of the light member holding member inthe float of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational front view of the distal end of the centralstem, without the spring.

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view of the central stem without thespring.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment for a spring mounting section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a fishing float, and more particularlya fishing float which can be used as a lighted fishing float 10 fornight fishing or can be used either as a slip float or as a springfloat. Still further, the invention relates to a center slideslip/spring fishing float. The structure of the float of the presentinvention is illustrated best with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In general, the fishing float 10 includes an upper float portion 11, alower float portion 12, a central hollow tube or stem 14, a springmounting section 17, a spring 15 mounted near the distal end of themounting section 17 and one or more rubber O-rings 16 and 20 forming aseal between the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12. As shownmore specifically in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper float portion 11 includesa top end 21 and a bottom end 22. The outer surface of the portion 11near the end 22 includes a seat or shoulder portion 18 against which theO-ring 16 is disposed. Such outer surface also includes a second O-ringgroove or seat 19 for supporting the O-ring 20. Both the shoulder 18 aswell as the groove 19 are circumferential elements which extend entirelyaround the generally circular cross-sectional configuration of theportion 11.

The upper end 21 of the float portion includes a fishing line opening 25through which a fishing line 13 (FIG. 1) can be threaded when the floatis desired to be used as a slip float. Such opening 25 is positionedalong the axial center line 23 of the upper portion 11. An inner surface24 diverges outwardly as it extends downwardly from the opening 25 todefine a center stem receiving portion. As shown, the diameter of thissurface 24 approximates the outer dimension of the stem 14 so that theupper end of the stem 14 extends into the area defined by the surface 24in a friction fit. In the preferred embodiment, the upper edge 26 of thecentral stem 14 is beveled to provide a lead-in to the surface 24.Similar to the opening 25, the area 24 is symmetrical along the axialcenter line 23 of the float and the upper portion 11.

As shown, the upper 11 and lower 12 portions are selectively connectableto one another. When connected, they define a substantially hollowcentral float potion. The lower portion 12 of the float includes anupper end 29 and a lower end 30 (FIG. 2). As shown best in FIGS. 2 and3, the internal surface of the lower portion 12 near the top end 29 isprovided with an O-ring retaining seat or groove 31. This groove 31extends circumferentially around the entirety of the inner surface ofthe portion 12 and is designed to mate with and receive an outer portionof the O-ring 20 when the float is assembled. The top end 29 of theportion 12 is a generally flat surface which is designed for sealingengagement with a portion of the O-ring 16 when the float is assembled.The upper and lower float portions 11 and 12 are preferably made ofbuoyant plastic, with at least the upper portion 11 being of translucentplastic to allow the light from the light element 39 hereafter describedto shine through.

A circumferential shoulder or mounting member 32 is integrally formedwith the inner surface of the portion 12 and extends circumferentiallyaround the entirety of the portion 12. The shoulder 32 includes an uppersurface 34 for supporting a centrally positioned member 35 whichfunctions to stabilize the stem 14 and mount a light element 39. Asshown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the member 35 includes a central opening 38for mounting and stabilizing the central stem 14 and a plurality ofbattery or light mounting openings 36 positioned radially outwardly andcircumferentially around the central opening 38. In the preferredembodiment, the member 35 is shown as a generally circular disc-shapedelement; however, members of various other shapes could be used as wellprovided that they perform the functions of stabilizing the central stem14 and mounting the light or battery element 39.

When assembled, the outer peripheral lower edge of the member 35 issupported on the support surface 34 of the shoulder 32. If desired, themember 35 can be secured relative to the portion 12 by an adhesive or bya press fit, although such securement is not considered necessary.

As shown best in FIG. 2, the stem 14 is comprised of an elongated hollowtubular member having an upper end 28 which is designed for a frictionfit within the surface 24 of the portion 11 when assembled and a lowerdistal end 40. When the float is assembled, a portion of the centralstem 14 preferably extends from the lower end 30 of the float, throughthe opening 38 in the member 35 and then to the friction fit surface 24.In the preferred embodiment, the central stem 14 is fixed to the lowerend of the lower float portion 12 along the axial center line 23. Thus,the hollow stem 14 functions as a fishing line opening at the bottom ofthe portion 12. If desired, the stem 14 could be fixed to the upperportion 11 along its axial center 23. In either case, the stem 14preferably extends through the center of the disc 35 or other battery orlight mounting member.

The spring mounting or support section 17 of the central stem 14 extendsdownwardly from the lower end 30 to the distal end 40. A compressionspring member 15 is positioned around the lower end of this springmounting section or support portion 17 as shown. In the preferredembodiment, the upper strand or two of the spring 15 may be secured tothe outer surface of the portion 17 at the point 42 by an adhesive. Thisretains the spring 15 relative to the portion 17 and enables the lowerend of the spring 15 to be compressed upwardly when desired.Alternatively, the spring support portion 17 extending downwardly fromthe lower end 30 can be integrally formed or molded with the portion 12as shown in FIG. 7. Further, the spring 15 can be secured to thisportion 17 at either end. Alternatively, the distal end 40 of the stemor spring support portion 17 could be provided with an enlarged portion27 (FIG. 7) or other means for capturing and retaining the spring 15.With this structure, the adhesive for the spring 15 can be eliminated.

The section 17 is hollow and thus includes an elongated fishing lineopening 33 extending through the entire length and along the axialcenter 23. Preferably the section 17 is an extension of the center stem14, which extends through a substantial portion (from bottom to top orvice versa) of the float, and the opening 33 is an extension of thecenter opening of the stem 14 and the opening 25 at the top of thefloat. Preferably the stem 14 extends through at least one-third of thefloat (from top to bottom or vice versa) and more preferably greaterthan one-half.

Intermediate between the distal end 40 and the lower end 30, the springsupport portion 17 (or lower end of the stem 14) is provided with afishing line slot or opening 44. As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, thisslot 44 is preferably curved or angled to provide a means, incombination with the spring 15, for retaining the fishing line in arelatively fixed position relative to the float when the float is beingused as a spring float. The spring 15, which is moveable between anextended position and a compressed position, is positioned to cover theslot 44 in an extended position and to uncover the slot 44 when in acompressed position. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot 44 communicates withthe opening 33, however, this is not a requirement.

The float is also preferably provided with the light member 39 for nightfishing. In the preferred embodiment, the light member 39 is comprisedof an elongated tubular member having a battery/bulb combination in asingle element. Specifically, the member 39 includes an upper light orbulb portion 46 and a portion 45 which is moveable inwardly andoutwardly relative to the main portion of the lighted member 39 betweenan on and an off position. When in an on position, the bulb 46 is lit,while in an off position, the bulb 46 is not lit. The lighted member 39is retained in a friction fit position within one of the light mountingopenings 36. Preferably, the light element 39 is a combinationbattery/bulb (with a lithium battery) which is manually activated.

The lighted float of the present invention includes upper and lowerfloat portions designed to be selectively connected and disconnectedfrom one another. A retaining disc or other structure is mounted in thelower float portion for mounting one or more battery or light elements39. The preferred embodiment discloses this structure in the form of adisc 35 with one or more battery/light mounting elements. In thepreferred embodiment, these battery/light mounting elements comprise aplurality of holes 36 to mount the battery/light elements 39 off center.The battery/light mounting structure also preferably includes a centeropening 38 for receiving the center stem 14. The center stem 14functions primarily to guide the fishing line from the opening 25 at thetop of the float, through the center portion of the float and outthrough the opening at the bottom end 30 of the float. Thus, whenassembled, the center stem must at least be positioned in the centralportion of the float to guide the fishing line past the structure forretaining the battery/light units 39. Preferably, the center stem isaligned with the opening 25 at the top of the float and extends alongthe center line 23 of the float.

It is understood that the disc 35 or other battery/light mountingstructure could be mounted in the upper float portion 11 rather than thebottom portion 12. Further, the preferred embodiment shows the centerstem 14 mounted in the lower portion 12 and extending into the upper endof the float portion 11 when assembled; however, this could be reversed.Preferably, the stem 14 should extend or pass through the disc 35 orother supporting structure when the float is in its assembled form.Still further, the battery/light mounting elements, such as holes orrecesses, could be molded directly into the upper 11 or lower portion12, if desired.

Having described the structure of the preferred embodiment, the methodof assembly and use of the preferred embodiment can be described asfollows. First, the O-rings 16 and 20 are mounted to the upper floatportion 11 against the shoulder 18 and in the seat 19, respectively.Next, the spring 41 is applied to the lower end of the central stem 14and secured thereto by an adhesive. The opposite or upper end of thestem 14 is then inserted into the lower end 30 of the float portion 12and inserted to a preselected extent in which the upper end 28 will seatin a friction fit within the surface 24 when the float portion 11 isapplied to the float portion 12. When in this position, the stem 14 ispreferably secured in that position relative to the lower float portion12 if desired. This can be done by applying adhesive between the stem 14and the lower end 30.

Next, the member 35 is assembled by inserting the free end of thecentral stem 14 through the opening 38 and moving the member 35 so thatit seats against the surface 34 of the shoulder 32. If desired, themember 35 can be secured by an adhesive or the like to the lower floatmember 12 and/or the central stem 14, if desired. Finally, the lightmember 39 is inserted into one of the openings 36 and retained thereinvia a friction fit. The upper float portion 11 is then applied to thelower float portion 12 by inserting the lower end 22 into the open endof the lower portion 12 and manually pressing the two portions togetheruntil the O-ring 20 seats in the groove 31. The float is then ready foruse as a slip float or a spring float.

To be used as a slip float, the fishing line 13 is threaded through thehollow stern 14 via the opening 25 as shown in FIG. 1. The line 13 isinserted until it exits the bottom end of the float. The float is thenfree to slip or move along the line 13. To be used as a spring float,the spring 15 is compressed to expose the slot 44. The fishing line isthen inserted into the slip 44 and the spring 15 is released. Whenreleased, the spring 15 extends over the slot 44 and fishing line andretains the float in a fixed position relative to the fishing line.

If it is desired to also use the float as a lighted float for nightfishing, the upper portion 11 is removed and the battery/light element39 is activated to an on position by pulling up the portion 45. Theupper portion 11 is then reinserted into the lower portion 12. In thepreferred embodiment, the upper and lower portions 11 and 12 areconnected via a friction fit. Thus, the upper portion 11 and the lowerportion 12 are separated by manually bending the upper portion back andforth relative to the lower portion 12. However, other connection meanssuch as threads may be provided as well.

Although the description of the preferred embodiment has been quitespecific, it is contemplated that various modifications could be madewithout deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Thus, it isintended that the scope of the present invention is dictated by theappended claims rather than by the description of the preferredembodiment.

1. A fishing float comprising: upper and lower float portions, saidupper and lower float portions being selectively connectable to oneanother to define a float with upper and lower ends and a fishing lineopening at each of said upper and lower ends.
 2. The fishing float ofclaim 1 including a hollow spring support extending downwardly from thelower end of said lower float portion, said fishing line opening at saidlower end being in communication with said hollow spring support.
 3. Thefishing float of claim 2 including a compressible spring mounted on saidspring support and being compressible from an extended position to acompressed position.
 4. The fishing float of claim 3 including a fishingline retaining opening in said spring support, said retaining openingpositioned so that said spring covers said retaining opening when saidspring is in its extended position.
 5. The fishing float of claim 1including a substantially hollow central float portion when said upperand lower float portions are connected with one another.
 6. The fishingfloat of claim 5 including a hollow tubular stem extending through aportion of said central float portion when said upper and lower floatportions are connected with one another.
 7. The fishing float of claim 6including a hollow spring support extending downwardly from the lowerend of said lower float portion, said fishing line opening in said lowerfloat portion being in communication with said hollow spring support. 8.The fishing float of claim 7 including a float interior where said firstand second float portions are connected and a selectively actuatablelight member mounted within said float interior.
 9. The fishing float ofclaim 8 including a light mounting member connected with one of saidupper and lower float portions wherein said light member is mountable tosaid light mounting member.
 10. The fishing float of claim 9 whereinsaid light mounting member includes a mounting disc having a centralopening and one or more light receiving openings spaced from saidcentral opening.
 11. The fishing float of claim 1 including a floatinterior when said first and second float portions are connected and aselectively actuatable light member mounted within said float interior.12. The fishing float of claim 11 including a light mounting memberconnected with one of said upper and lower float portions wherein saidlight member is mountable to said light mounting member.
 13. The fishingfloat of claim 12 wherein said light mounting member includes a mountingdisc having a central opening and one or more light receiving openingsspaced from said central opening.
 14. The fishing float of claim 13including a hollow tubular stem extending through said central openingwhen said upper and lower float portions are connected.
 15. The fishingfloat of claim 14 wherein said hollow tubular stem includes an upper endaligned with said fishing line opening in said upper float portion. 16.The fishing float of claim 1 being a center slide float having a fishingline passage extending from said fishing line opening at said upper endto said fishing opening at said lower end along the axial center line ofthe float.
 17. A combination slip/spring fishing float comprising: afloat body having an upper end and a lower end and an axial centerextending between said upper end and said lower end; a fishing lineopening extending from said upper end to said lower end along said axialcenter; a hollow, spring mount section at said lower end; a fishing lineslot in a side of said spring mount section and a compressible spring onsaid spring mount section.
 18. The fishing float of claim 17 whereinsaid float body includes first and second float sections selectivelyconnectable to and disconnectable from one another.
 19. The fishingfloat of claim 18 including one or more selectively adjustable lightmembers mounted to one of said first and second float sections.
 20. Thefishing float of claim 19 including a hollow center stem defining saidfishing line opening and extending through a substantial portion of saidfloat.
 21. The fishing float of claim 21 wherein said center stemextends through at least one-half of said float.